UKIP defector David Campbell-Bannerman wants to work with his old party

Nigel Farage and the Tories must work together to stop Ed Miliband getting the keys to Number 10, UK Independence Party defector David Campbell-Bannerman has said.

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The Conservative MEP, who left the party in 2011 claiming it was not a credible political force, made the comments after clinging onto his seat in the East last night,

He said he believed his old leader, Mr Farage, could be willing to make an informal agreement.

The former UKIP deputy leader and party chairman lost out to Mr Farage in a leadership contest in November 2010, returning to the Conservatives the following year.

He said that while his party leadership had made clear that “at this point” it was not looking at pacts, there could be an informal agreement.

“I personally think - and I know Nigel Farage, I was his deputy leader, I was his party chairman - I cannot see Nigel Farage wanting to put a Marxist, pro-EU federalist like Ed Miliband in Number 10.

“If UKIP’s only achievement is to put Ed Miliband into Number 10, then that doesn’t suit UKIP’s objectives. I think we have to work together, probably not in a formalised pact. We just need to ensure that we get the referendum that only the Conservatives are providing. That is what UKIP wants aswell.”

Mr Campbell Bannerman, who had complained of internal fighting when he left UKIP, struck a conciliatory tone saying: “I have many UKIP friends. I still personally want to leave the EU, but I think our differences are one of tactics. I think UKIP government is not achievable. Only a referendum is going to give the British people an option. I came back to the Conservatives to argue for a referendum. We have got a referendum, we have got to ensure it is delivered.”

In a surprise result, Mr Campbell-Bannerman said it was a “huge relief” to win the final of seven seats available in the Easter region. The result left the Conservatives and UKIP with three seats each, denying the Liberal Democrats a return and thwarting Labour’s attempts to get a second.

Mr Campbell-Bannerman said: “I knew it would be a big battle. This is a right wing swing which is good news for the general election. People have made it very clear – the Lib Dems have fallen away, Labour have only got one seat - this is a right wing result, and this is a good harbinger for the general election next year.”

“I have had to talk to a lot of people and persuade them not to vote UKIP on this occasion. Clearly there is a huge movement towards UKIP, mainly driven by immigration, but I think, and I feel vindicated in the fact, that only an in/out referendum from the Conservatives is going to address the EU issue properly, but also immigration.”

He added: “I am willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure the election of a Conservative majority government.”

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22 comments

Maybe its time for the two thirds who did not vote at all to realise that they have elected UKIP MEP's. I'm glad that the EU is now facing large scale reform to its lack accounting and democratic deficit. But if Tories pull the referendum forward, before the GE, we will vote in favour of staying in, which would pull the rug underneath UKIP's single argument campaign, but the Tories are too scared to dare, because it would mean to tell us about Europe's positive values. Many people I know spoiled their votes, something that should now be reflected by reports. The EDP's deliberate dismal underscoring of this 'most important EU election ever', is noted.

And on the subject of being scared, why is this newspaper group so scared to print the honest and legal opinion of its readers. I refer in this case (but there are many others) to the comment I made "Crime will continue at unacceptable levels because punishments are not severe enough. Bring back corporal punishment and capital punishment." which was banned.

In the last GE I voted LibDem to give a moderating force to whichever party it could best form a coalition with. But Clegg proved to be a weak puppet and has proved he is scared to say NO. He should have said NO to tax cuts for the wealthy whilst the ill, the disabled, the elderly, the weak and the vulnerable were being hammered by Dave and George. There is no chance whatsoever that I will vote UKIP in the next GE (even though I voted for them in the local and European elections last week) if there is the slightest chance they will form a coalition with the Tories. Unfortunately I cannot say I want Labour in power either; like many people I am stuck in choosing between two parties who have proved themselves useless when in power.

UKIP loathes the Tories and I would imagine they reserve a special loathing for this bloke. As for people saying they wouldn't vote for UKIP if they paid them thousands of pounds. Of course they would. All socialists can be bought for a lot less than that.

Must admit I had a conservative candidate knock on my door and start begging for my vote like they usually do, I like to think they wont be doing it again though. Labour will win the GE everyone knows it, simply UKIP will fall away and no one in their right mind will vote conservative after what they have done over the last three years and Lib Dems are truly pathetic

My what short memory Peter Watson has. Last year people tried UKIP and we got Labour in Gt Yarmouth by splitting the Tory vote. Bit different this time round though after UKIP really got its act together. One year of Labour in charge was enough for anyone.

Watson that's interesting, at NCC it's vote UKIP get Labour but they did well and truly pulled the rug from under you last night. I am looking forward to seeing them putting there money where there mouth is, they have a lot to say but they can NOT take this country out of Europe as they are not in government. If they want to play with the big boys I am looking forward to seeing there manifesto. There is a lot more to Europe than immigration but I do agree that needs sorting.

UKIP is simply a Tory pressure group. The public wants out of the EU. Tories want to give a referendum after next General Election if they win... with words changing from (excuse the simplification) "in or out" to "renegotiate terms or not"... the UKIP party if they ever got in (they wont) will probably ask for renegotiation of terms with Europe.

The fact that Labour loathes the idea of giving people a referendum should automatically consign them to a political midden. How detestable that they claim to support the working class yet despise the thought of giving them a referendum. It would be a disaster of epic proportions if these traitors were ever allowed anywhere near the levers of power again.

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